- Client-centered methods
- CBT and DBT skills
- Motivational interviewing
About Kathleen
Kathleen O'Connor is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with adults on concerns such as addiction, mood disorders, anxiety, stress, parenting strain, relationship issues, and family of origin issues. Sessions focus on practical steps and problem solving rather than labels or judgments.
She trained in a social work master’s program and earned a Specialized Mental Health Provider certificate focused on severe mental illness and dual diagnosis during her studies. Kathleen has worked across many settings including substance abuse treatment, psychiatric emergency rooms, dialysis clinics, criminal justice programs, nursing homes, and community-based crisis services. She has provided in-home care and telehealth by phone and video.
Her style is interactive and straightforward. She checks in often during sessions to confirm understanding and keeps communication direct. Kathleen uses motivational interviewing, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral strategies, and dialectical behavior techniques to address symptoms and build skills.
Many clients come to her wanting clearer boundaries, fewer family-driven reactions, better coping with mood swings, or help managing substance use. She combines practical skill work with reflective conversation to reduce repeating old family patterns and to improve day-to-day functioning.
Sessions may be short-term for a specific problem or longer when issues are more complex. To start, she asks about current challenges, priorities, and what has helped before, then collaborates on small steps forward.
How Kathleen uses evidence-based approaches online
Client-Centered work focuses on listening and following the person's priorities. It involves reflective conversation and collaborative goal-setting to address immediate concerns and clarify next steps.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers practical exercises for mood, anxiety, sleep, and coping with family-driven patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) brings specific skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better interpersonal communication when reactions feel overwhelming.
Finding the best approach is part of the work. Kathleen will review your goals and try methods that fit your needs and preferences. She adapts strategies over time and checks in often to see what helps and what to change.
If you plan to meet online, confirm the current session formats before booking since the biography notes she has provided telehealth by phone and video. Online sessions can make it easier to schedule around work or caregiving, reduce travel time, and allow skill practice between meetings. Different formats also let you choose shorter check-ins or full video sessions when helpful.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She addresses addictions, mood disorders, anxiety, stress, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, grief, and sleep or intimacy-related issues.
What is her approach in sessions?
Sessions are interactive and practical with frequent check-ins. Techniques include motivational interviewing, mindfulness, CBT, and DBT skills.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of direct-service experience across settings such as substance abuse treatment, psychiatric emergency rooms, nursing homes, and community crisis services.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) holding an MA and practices in Massachusetts.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are available?
The original biography mentions telehealth by phone and video in recent practice. Confirm current session options before booking.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.